February is Black History Month and as such,
Zap2it has an exclusive behind-the-scenes video from
"Black Sails," where actor
Hakeem Kae-Kazim discusses the role that Africans played in the golden age of piracy.

"Slave ships were raided by these pirate ships, and so slaves on these ships would have a choice -- they could either join the pirates or get thrown overboard," says Kae-Kazim. "They were judged purely on their talent and effectiveness as sailors, not on the color of their skin. The only option for them was either slavery or this form of freedom, so they would fight hard and be braver than any of the other pirates."

Kae-Kazim's character of Mr. Scott walks an interesting line between the pirate world and the wealthier world of the Guthries, the family that runs New Providence. He says because of that, Mr. Scott has a different sense of self than most freed slaves would have had then.

"He was a former slave, but he's elevated himself to a very different position. ... There's a sense of self in him, there's a different aspect of pride," says Kae-Kazim. "'Black Sails' really treats all of this in a very, very interesting way. That's why I think it's worth watching."